Vice President of Manufacturing

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

In this role, you will lead multi‑site manufacturing operations, strengthen production capabilities, and drive high‑performing teams to deliver complex composite and metallic flight hardware. You will bridge design engineering and volume production by scaling capacity, improving cost‑of‑quality, and ensuring flawless execution to meet rigorous delivery schedules for defense and commercial space customers.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that maximizes production capacity, equipment utilization, and throughput for complex aerospace hardware.
• Partners with executive leadership to translate business development pipelines into scalable operational capacity and achievable product roadmaps.
• Leads Manufacturing Engineering to ensure smooth, repeatable transitions from concept designs to stable production through structured New Product Introduction (NPI) processes.
• Manages multi‑million‑dollar capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) budgets and drives continuous improvement to enhance gross margins.
• Coordinates factory schedules with Sales and Operations Planning (S\&OP), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), procurement, and quality teams to achieve consistent on‑time delivery.
• Ensures compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) requirements while promoting a zero‑defect culture.
• Leads and develops plant managers, fabrication supervisors, and senior engineering personnel, establishing clear performance metrics and fostering continuous learning.
• Oversees manufacturing of precision components including computer numerical control (CNC) machining, sheet metal fabrication, composite layups, automated assembly, and specialized welding operations.
• Drives lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and 5S initiatives to optimize factory‑floor efficiency and reduce cost‑of‑quality.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 12–15 or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in aerospace, defense, spacecraft, satellite, or hypersonic industries.
• Demonstrated executive experience managing multi‑site manufacturing or large‑scale aerospace fabrication operations.
• Deep expertise in precision CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, composite layups, automated assembly, and specialized welding processes.
• Advanced proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and 5S methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Experience working directly with major defense prime contractors or the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
• Knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP), material requirements planning (MRP), and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• Strong executive communication and negotiation capabilities, with the ability to connect technical manufacturing insights to strategic financial outcomes.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD\&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.